The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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